Djamila
Bosnjakinja
Friends of Bosnia is an international organization. It is based in the United Kingdom and operates as a union of people from all walks of life, most of whom have absolutely no connection to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but are committed to this country's survival and success.
One small aspect of the Friends of Bosnia are various Christian missionary groups. Their stated mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to "enrich the experience of Bosnian Muslim youth by exposing them to a different side of Christianity and showing the love of Jesus Christ without expectation or obligation".
In practice, they basically participate in various Islamic festivals, as very visible Christians, and try to improve the understanding of Christianity forged in Bosnia as a result of the war. They also do a lot of aid work, making sure every family knows who is helping, and why - using the teachings of Jesus Christ - they are being helped.
To give you an idea of the effect these organizations have had...
The town of Zavidovici, which is almost entirely Muslim, has since 2003 hosted a group of 11 of these Christian missionaries.
A poll conducted in 2002 revealed that 87 per cent of the town's population held an "unfavorable view" of Christianity. A poll conducted in 2003, with more specific answers, found that 77 per cent of the town's population considered Christianity to be a "religion of violence", with 59 per cent considering Christianity to be a "religion of hatred".
A poll released in 2006 showed a dramatic change. 58 per cent of the town's population now view Christianity "favorably" and only 20 per cent consider Christianity to be a "religion of violence", and 36 per cent considering it a "religion of hatred".
In that time, not a single complaint has been filed against the Christian missionaries and not a single resident of Zavidovici has converted from Islam.
On a personal note, this is the kind of missionary work I respect and I believe serves an honorable purpose, so it's very nice to see.
Here are two photographs from the group, handing out Ramadan loot bags to Muslim girls at the local kindergarten school.
One small aspect of the Friends of Bosnia are various Christian missionary groups. Their stated mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to "enrich the experience of Bosnian Muslim youth by exposing them to a different side of Christianity and showing the love of Jesus Christ without expectation or obligation".
In practice, they basically participate in various Islamic festivals, as very visible Christians, and try to improve the understanding of Christianity forged in Bosnia as a result of the war. They also do a lot of aid work, making sure every family knows who is helping, and why - using the teachings of Jesus Christ - they are being helped.
To give you an idea of the effect these organizations have had...
The town of Zavidovici, which is almost entirely Muslim, has since 2003 hosted a group of 11 of these Christian missionaries.
A poll conducted in 2002 revealed that 87 per cent of the town's population held an "unfavorable view" of Christianity. A poll conducted in 2003, with more specific answers, found that 77 per cent of the town's population considered Christianity to be a "religion of violence", with 59 per cent considering Christianity to be a "religion of hatred".
A poll released in 2006 showed a dramatic change. 58 per cent of the town's population now view Christianity "favorably" and only 20 per cent consider Christianity to be a "religion of violence", and 36 per cent considering it a "religion of hatred".
In that time, not a single complaint has been filed against the Christian missionaries and not a single resident of Zavidovici has converted from Islam.
On a personal note, this is the kind of missionary work I respect and I believe serves an honorable purpose, so it's very nice to see.
Here are two photographs from the group, handing out Ramadan loot bags to Muslim girls at the local kindergarten school.
